Disposable votive cartridge

ABSTRACT

A disposable votive candle is disclosed. The disposable votive candle includes a disposable container for containing and holding a candle, comprising a cup having a closed bottom, a sidewall integrally connect to said bottom, and an open top, as well as a candle, comprising a wax body and wick.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 60/575,793 filed May 28, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of disposable candles, and in particular to a disposable votive candle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Candles are a common place item in many households today. They serve many functions, including decoration, illumination, aroma, and relaxation. One popular candle is the votive, which is a small, economical, and safe alternative to larger candles. However, votive candles require a separate container to safely burn and leave these containers with residue, burn marks, and hardened wax. These containers are extremely difficult to clean and cost additional money to replace.

A number of patents have issued directed to votive candles. U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,310 discloses a container for forming the packaging of a candle consists of a cup having a closed bottom, a cylindrical sidewall integrally connected to the bottom, and an open top. The cup is shaped to conform to the inside surface of a mold for forming a votive candle from molten wax. The cup is made from a material, preferably clear PVC, capable of withstanding heat generated by the molten wax. The sidewall of the cup is sufficiently rigid to provide protection for the candle during shipping and the bottom of the cup is sufficiently flexible to allow the candle to be ejected from the cup by applying upwardly directed pressure thereto.

U.S. patent application 20020102508 discloses a candle has a core of solid fuel that can be burned by a flame on a wick in the fuel. A flame resistant and heat resistant barrier is around the core, the barrier being at least partly transparent for passing light from the flame. A clear, rigid, outer shell of shell material around the barrier passing light from the flame to an outer surface of the shell. An opaque pattern is on the barrier for projecting an image of the pattern with light from the flame and a translucent wrap at the outer surface of the shell receives the projected image of the pattern. Alternatively, decorative items are in the shell which are visible through the transparent material of the shell and are protected from the heat of the flame by the barrier.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,708 discloses a biodegradable plastic material based on cellulose esters and possibly biodegradable carboxylic acid esters, glycol esters or glycol ethers as softener, composed of from about 50 to about 90 weight percent cellulose ester, from about 5 to about 40 weight percent softener, from about 5 to about 30 weight percent polyester and from about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent AQ-nylon. The biodegradable plastic material may also contain organic acids and/or acid esters and/or ethers different from the softener, and other additives, such as flame inhibitors, and is distinguished by excellent biodegradability, injection molding and blow molding characteristics. Also disclosed are articles made of the material of the invention and methods of making such articles. It is preferably molded into thin sheets and transparent plastic articles, preferably into enclosures/containers for oil lamps, eternal flame oil candles, composition lights, other cemetery light designs, votive lights and thin sheets.

There is a need however, for a disposable votive candle that does not require a separate container to be ignited and can be thrown away after being extinguished.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable votive candle that has all elements of a votive candle set in a single disposable package.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disposable votive candle that can be safely burnt.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a disposable votive candle is disclosed. The novel votive candle includes a disposable container for containing and holding a candle, comprising a cup having a closed bottom, a sidewall integrally connect to said bottom, and an open top, as well as a candle, comprising a wax body and wick.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a disposable votive candle cup is disclosed. The novel votive candle cup includes a cup having a closed bottom, a sidewall integrally connect to said bottom, and an open top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a votive candle in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a votive candle cup in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the same components across the several views, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a votive candle 20. The votive candle 20 includes a disposable container 10 for containing and holding a candle, comprising a cup 10 having a closed bottom 12, a sidewall 11 integrally connect to said bottom 12, and an open top 14, as well as a candle 21, comprising a wax body 22 and wick 23.

The container will preferably be of a size and width to fit in a number of structures such as pots, jack-o-lanterns, etc. As the candle burns, the burnt wax fills the container. After usage, the container can be removed and discarded. The present invention has been described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiment. It is to be appreciated that other embodiments fulfill the spirit of this invention and that the true motive of the invention is to be determined with reference to the claims. 

1. A disposable votive container for containing and holding a candle, comprising: a cup having a closed bottom; a sidewall integrally connect to said bottom; and an open top.
 2. The disposable votive container of claim 1, wherein said container is constructed from a material capable of withstanding heat generated by molten wax and burning candles.
 3. A disposable votive, comprising: a disposable container for containing and holding a candle, comprising a cup having a closed bottom, a sidewall integrally connect to said bottom, and an open top; and a candle, comprising a wax body and wick.
 4. The disposable votive of claim 3, wherein said container is constructed from a material capable of withstanding heat generated by molten wax and burning candles.
 5. The disposable votive of claim 3, wherein said candle is molded within said disposable container.
 6. The disposable votive of claim 3, wherein said candle is molded to fit within said disposable container.
 7. A disposable votive, comprising: a plastic disposable container for containing and holding a candle, comprising a cup having a closed bottom with at least one support to raise said candle above a surface, a cylindrical sidewall integrally connect to said bottom, and an circular top opening; and a candle, comprising a wax body, formed within said container, and a wick extending from said containers bottom, through said candle's body, and extending past said containers open top. 